MOA

Welcome

Welcome to the Autumn 2009 edition of the Mobile Operators Association’s Open Line. This newsletter is sent to all elected representatives of the Westminster and UK devolved Parliaments and Assemblies, UK members of the European Parliament, and councillors across the UK.

The Mobile Operators Association (MOA) was established in January 2003 to represent the five UK mobile phone network operators (3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone) on radio frequency health and associated town planning issues.

Mobile telecommunications are, more than ever, part of our everyday lives. According to Ofcom in its latest Communications Market report published in August 2009, there are now around 77 million mobile connections in the UK, 3 million customers now access mobile broadband services via a laptop and dongle, and over 8 million people own a ‘smartphone’ to access internet and web based services.

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At the start of 2009 there were approximately 51,300 base station sites in the UK. This figure could rise to approximately 52,500 by the end of 2009. Two-thirds of these are installed on existing buildings or structures.

These statistics show the importance of mobile communications to individuals and businesses across the UK.

This continuing increase in mobile phone usage across the UK is only possible due to the operators’ networks which support calls, texts and data usage.

Open Line aims to keep elected representatives across the UK updated on mobile phone network development and RF health and safety issues.

In this edition we provide:

Highlights of the latest Ipsos MORI opinion research on mobile telecommunications.
Some useful information on the operators’ approach to community consultation – part of their Ten Commitments to best siting practice.
Information on the operators’ annual network rollout plans.
An update on the latest scientific advice from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

I hope you find this edition of Open Line useful and informative. We always welcome feedback on our publications. If you have any comments on the contents of this and future newsletters, please send them to stuarteke@ukmoa.org

Mike Dolan
Executive Director
Mobile Operators Association